The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a major expansion of its AI Airlock programme, a regulatory sandbox for testing artificial intelligence in healthcare. With an additional £1 million in funding, the programme is opening a second round of applications, starting from 23 June 2025.
The AI Airlock provides innovators with a safe environment to test AI-powered medical technologies, such as diagnostic tools and personalised cancer therapies. It enables developers to work closely with regulators, gaining feedback and fast-tracking their path to approval. The initiative is supported by the Regulatory Innovation Office and forms part of the UK Government’s broader AI Opportunities Action Plan.
In its initial pilot, four AI-driven products were tested, demonstrating the potential of these technologies to improve patient care and system efficiency. The MHRA believes that the sandbox model will significantly reduce approval time and encourage responsible AI adoption within the NHS.
According to the government, the expansion will help position the UK as a leader in medical AI. It also reflects the government’s drive to modernise the regulatory system and support safer, faster innovation.
Sources: gov.uk/news/ai-breakthroughs-drive-expansion-of-airlock-testing-programme-to-support-ai-powered-healthcare-innovation, gov.uk/collections/ai-airlock-the-regulatory-sandbox-for-aiamd
